NEWSLETTER OF THE VICTORIAN FOLK MUSIC CLUB INCORPORATED

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Australian

Established 1959

The views expressed in this Newsletter are not necessarily those of the Editor or of the VFMC

July 2016

INTRODUCING

YOUR EDITOR (see p.9)

In This Issue ...

Item Page

Club Events 2

Next Guest Night 3

Guest Artist Review 4

Dance Pages 6

Tuesday Poem / Editor 8

Martyn W-R concert 10

Concert Party Report 12

Quiz / Tuesday sessions 14

The Autoharp 11

Please send your contributions for SEPTEMBER Newsletter

by: Friday 19th AUGUST, 2016 to: editor@vfmc.org.auFriday 19th AUGUST, 2016 to: editor@vfmc.org.auFriday 19th AUGUST, 2016 to: editor@vfmc.org.auFriday 19th AUGUST, 2016 to: editor@vfmc.org.au

ATTENTION ALL VFMC MEMBERS:

YOUR ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE DUE

AT THE END OF JULY—PLEASE PAY ASAP

Australian Tradition 2 August 2016

Club Sessions

Tuesdays, 7.30—10.15 pm, East Ringwood Community Hall (enter from Knaith Road, off Dublin Road) (Melway 50B8). Supportive round-robin sessions where all are welcome for playing, singing, reciting, performing, workshops etc. $5.members, $6 non-members. Contact Don (0407-737-202)/www.vfmc.org.au

Guest Performer Concert

On the second Tuesday of the month (instead of the weekly session) a concert is held featuring top acoustic performers. Ringwood East Community Hall. Concerts start with open stage acts at 8pm, finishing 10.15pm. $12. $10 conces and members, kids no charge. Contact 0407 737 202 / www.vfmc.org.au

By-Ear Sessions

Join us to learn how to play by following someone on:

Club Event CalendarClub Event CalendarClub Event CalendarClub Event Calendar

• first Thursday, 8.00pm (at Harry’s

place)

• Second Tuesday, 10:15 pm (after the Ringwood Folk Guest Night

• Every Monday, 8:00 pm, (fiddles and mandolins at Harry’s place.)

• Most Saturdays, 11:00am, all instruments and singing, busking opposite the railway station in Ringwood East

Harry Gardner: (03) 9870 8998, 0408 708 998 / www.vfmc.org.au

Ringwood Colonial Dance

Family Bush Dance, first Saturday of every month except January 8-11pm at the Ringwood East Senior Citizens Hall, Laurence Grove. A different band is featured each month and all ages are welcome. $12, $10 concession and members, kids no charge. Contact: Jane 9762-1389 / www.vfmc.org.au

Sun Mon Tues Wed Thu Fri Sat

1st August 2nd 3rd

4th 5th 6th

VFMC dance

Melbourne

Colonial Band

7th

8th

Fiddles 9th

Club Session 10th 11th

By-Ear session

12th

13th

14th 15th

Fiddles 16th

Guest Night 17th 18th 19th 20th

21st 22nd

Fiddles

23rd

Club Session

24th 25th

26th 27th

28th

29th

Fiddles

30th

Club Session

31st 1sr September 2nd 3rd

VFMC Dance Blackberry Jam Bush

Band

Australian Tradition 3

August 2016

.

Australian Tradition 4 August 2016

. Our MC for the evening was Bette Martin

Garry, our frst act of the night, began the concert with a popular old Irish song The Rattlin’ Bog . He followed with a few self-penned poems about everyday subjects

as diverse as headaches and road rage. Then finished with the Song of a Shearer and asked: What is everyone looking for when you’re out there on your own?

Frances sang an old folk song: Bring me Water Sylvie then encouraged the audience to join in singing Bound for Botany Bay.

Lawrie performed two very popular tunes on his piano accordion. La Golondrina (popularly known as She wears my Ring), and La Spagnola (The Spanish Woman).

Robyn and Dominic sang: I never will Marry then the Irish ballad The Fields of Athenry with the audience joining in the chorus of this firm favourite.

Then an Observation Poem from Alex about the parade of people through Bunnings on Sundays. Followed by his own version of a Willie Nelson classic Red Eyes Crying Down the Drain.

Maggie accompanied herself on guitar singing a poem she had set to music which she had sung recently at a wedding: Love’s Coming by Shaw Neilson. Her second offering was The Waiting Game.

Our final act before the supper break was Felix. He reminded the audience about his production being presented in this hall on Saturday 6th August. Barry versus Kelly is about the Justice Sir Redmond Barry and his dealings with the infamous Ned Kelly. Then Felix performed on the keyboard an Irish Jig - The Frieze Britches.

Guest Artist Night, July 2016

Australian Tradition 5

August 2016

We were fortunate to have Appalachian Heaven as our feature act this month. This quartet plays music from Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama Georgia and other southern states of the USA. Sometimes called bluegrass, this type of music evolved from a mixture of western style tunes, white gospel and dance rhythms favoured by the slaves from Senegal Africa. The first tune was Eldies Farewell, made popular by the legendary Ole Belle Read. Ian played claw hammer banjo, Sally on fiddle, Kim on base and Graeme on guitar. Then a lament by Benton Flippin wishin to the Lord that he’d never been born. From North Carolina a song by Tommy Jerrel - Police come this mornin’. Ian played three different banjos during the night and explained that one, a fretless banjo, had different tuning for every key. They sang a sad song called Evangeline about a woman whose gambler lover drowns in the Mississippi River.

There followed a livelier song by Tom Waits about a man who doesn’t go to church on Sundays, but to the candy store where he buys a Chocolate Jesus. It keeps him warm inside and satisfies his soul. Ian, Kim, Sally and Graeme travel to the southern states of America each year to take part in festivals, workshops and to ensure that their representation of the music remains true to its roots. The fiddle and banjo were the traditional instruments for the people for square dances and ballads long before guitars came along. Graeme told the audience that the guitar he was playing was a 1935 Gibson and he

also played the autoharp. This instrument was made popular by the Carter family from Virginia and Tennessee. Then he played Storms are on the Ocean. An Art Stamper fiddle tune followed - Johnny don’t come home drunk. Then the foursome played a very lively tune which has no name. The audience sang along with the next tune, the old favourite Big Rock Candy Mountain and Sally featured with Black-eyed Susie. Their final offering was Northern White Cloud. We thank Appalachian Heaven for providing a great night of lively and enjoyable entertainment . Next month : Anatole Road The VFMC wishes to thank all of the volunteers who made the evening a success.

- Report: Better Martin ; Photographs: Stephen Whiteside

Guest Artist Night, July 2016

Australian Tradition 6 August 2016

The Dance Page

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1st

Irish

Scottish

2nd

English

3rd

Irish or

Colonials

4th

5th

6th

VFMC Dance Melbourne

Colonial Band

7th

TSDAV

8th

Irish

Scottish

9th

English

10th

Irish or

Colonials

11th

Scottish

12th

13th

Scottish

14th

Claddagh

Contra Malvern

15th

Irish

Scottish

16th

English

17th

Irish or Colonials

18th

Colonials

19th

20th Bendigo East

dance

21st

Welsh

22nd

Irish

Scottish

23rd

English

24th

Irish or

Colonials

25th

Colonials Beginners

26th

27th

Tea Dance

28th

Claddagh Contra Northcote

29th

Irish

Scottish

30th

English

31st

Irish or Colonials

Diary Dates for

early Sept 2016:

1st Colonials Beginners

2nd

3rd

VFMC Dance Wattle Day

Blackberry Jam

4th TSDAV

5th Irish

Scottish

6th

English

7th Irish

Colonials

8th Scottish

Colonials Beginners

9th

10th

Scottish

Diary dates for July:

Australian Tradition 7

August 2016

The Dance Page

TEA DANCE 27th August, 4.30-9.30pm, St David’s Uniting Church,74 Melville Rd,

Brunswick West. Contact: Norm 9888-5332 or www.tsdav.asn.au

_______________________________________________________________________

Claddagh Irish set dancing at St Georges Anglican Church, Warncliffe Rd, Ivanhoe. 2-5pm. Contact: Rod 9497-1793

VFMC Colonial Dance at Ringwood East Elderly Citizens Hall, Laurence Grove, Ringwood East, 8-11 pm. Contact: Jane 9762-1389

Irish Monday Dancing at The Quiet Man pub, Racecourse Road, Flemington, 8-10 p.m. Contact: Marie 9471-0690

Irish Wednesday Irish dancing at St. Phillips Church, Hoddle St, Collingwood, 8-10pm. Contact: Marie 9471-0690

English Dancing at Bennettswood Neighbourhood House, 7 Greenwood Street, Burwood, 8-10pm. Contact: George 9890-5650

Colonial Wednesday Social dance classes at Collingwood Senior Citizens Hall, Eddy Crt, Abbotsford, 8-10pm. Contact: Coral 9885-6109

Colonial Thursday & Australian Colonial/Bush Dance: Ashburton Uniting Church,

Colonial Beginners 3 Ashburn Grove, Ashburton, 7.30-10pm. Contact: Coral 9885-6109

Welsh Dancing at Church of Christ Hall, 1 The Avenue, Surrey Hills. 2-4.30pm. Contact: George 9890 5650

TSDAV Sunday: The Eleventh Hour Theatre Hall, cnr Gore & Leicester Sts, Fitzroy. Contact: Norm Ellis 9888-5332

Contra Dance Northcote Uniting Church Hall, 251 High St, Northcote, 7.30-10.30pm. Contact: John 0422 932 532 / Gary 0425 707 980

Contra Dance Malvern Community Arts Centre, 29 Burke Rd, Malvern East. Contact: 0422 932 532 / Gary 0425 707 980

Scottish Mon. & Sat. Paton Memorial Hall, Deepdene Uniting Church, 958 Burke Road, Deepdene, 8 pm Contact: deepdene.dancers@bigpond.com

Scottish Thursday Taggerty Hall, Maroondah Highway at Taggerty, corner of

Thornton Rd. 7-9pm. Contact: Di Gaylard 5963-3277 or musicman@virtual.net.au

Bendigo East, third Saturday every month. Contact Dianne Pearse (dpearse@iinet.net.au) 5442-1715 or Mary Smith 5442-1153 (secretary@bendigobushdance.org.au)

Australian Tradition 8 August 2016

Here is a poem penned by one of our members about our Tuesday night sessions.

Tuesday Poem

There’s a place each week that I like to go

Through heat, through cold, rain, hail or snow

Knaith Road – Ringwood East is my destination

From my house a drive of short duration.

The half-empty car park is filling up fast

I slip into a spot as the Riever hurtles past

There’s Dieter’s Holden - Don’s flash van

Frances’s yellow ute - Harry’s little sedan

Inside, Harry and Stan play a welcoming tune

While others place seats in a circle round the room.

I see accordions, violins, mandolins and guitars

Recorders, tin whistles and some harmonicas

There’s a hush, as we settle with obedient demeanour

To follow the guidance of Don, our esteemed convenor

The Waltz Polka Book page two hundred and four

Colin calls quietly from his spot near the door

Okay folks, convenor calls, let us commence

Instruments at the ready, faces intense

Legs pumping, feet tapping to keep all in time

Music fills the hall – a symphony sublime.

Taking turns, one by one around the room

Each person presents, performs or requests a tune

Joan and Ray start us off with a sweet melody

Mick entertains with a song of the sea

Jim Smith, the reciter - offers a poem by Lawson

All listen enthralled - it’s totally awesome

Australian Tradition 9

August 2016

Dieter our resident harmonica virtuoso

Plays poignant songs both dramatic and doloroso

Colin McLaren plays -The Dark Island - version twenty-two

I’m sure we’ve heard it before - Ach aye the noo!

Sofie puts a light in a couple of country windows

Maggie sings her own composition, that girl’s no bimbo

Stephen chooses a poem from his book of children’s verse

Of a guy called Ned Kelly, whose life seemed to be cursed

Robyn from the Joy Durst book chooses a song

Dominic plays and sings a folk song as the evening moves along

Before you know it, it’s time for our supper

So most of us adjourn to the kitchen for a cuppa

Wal, Ken, Tony, Graham, Andy, and the rest

Sip their drinks, nibble a biscuit, share an occasional jest

Many continue playing, grouped in threes and twos

Greg plays solo, sings quietly about Lima - that’s in Peru.

After the break all settle down into their seats

Instruments ready, toes a’tappin we all resume the beat

Is it the music, the songs or the friendly conversation

That make Tuesday night such a pleasurable sensation

I’m not really sure, but I’ll tell you my friend

We’ll be back again next week to do it all again.

- Bette Martin July 2016

________________________________________________________________

INTRODUCING YOUR EDITOR: In case anybody is curious about who keeps somehow, often miraculously, putting out this newsletter each month, your Editor is Maggie Somerville—a current schoolteacher and singer-songwriter, who has held this dubious position for about 4 years. Thanks to my wonderful proofreader Jane and apologies for all errors or oversights in any issues—we do our best! And do please keep those articles, anecdotes and photos etc. rolling in. It is YOUR newsletter!

Australian Tradition 10 August 2016

Australian Tradition 11

August 2016

THE AUTOHARP

As one of our Guest Artists this month in the band Appalachian Heaven plays the autoharp, it seems timely to publish some information about this relatively unknown instrument.

The Autoharp is a musical string instrument with a series of chord bars attached to dampers, which, when depressed, mute all the other strings other than those that form the desired chord. However, despite its name, the autoharp is NOT a harp at all but a chorded zither.

Debate exists over the origin of the autoharp—possibly a German immigrant to the USA named Zimmermann or else another German named Gutter of Markneukirchen in Germany who built what he called a Volkszither, which most resembles the autoharp played today.

Modern autoharps have 36 or 37 strings, although some have 47 or, more rarely, 48 strings. Although often regarded as a rhythm instrument for playing chordal accompaniment, modern players can also play melodies on the instrument.

Until the 1960s no pickups were available to amplify the autoharp other than a rudimentary contact microphone with a weak, tinny sound. Eventually magnetic pickups were designed in the mid 1960s and early 1970s.

Autoharps have been used in the United States as bluegrass and folk instruments—perhaps most famously by Maybelle Carter, Sara Carter, Helen Carter and June Carter, all of the Carter Family. However, autoharps have also been used in other styles of music, e.g. Rolling Stones’ Brian Jones in ‘Ride On, Baby’ in 1967 and ‘You Got the Silver’ in 1969, and Judith Durham of the Seekers in ‘A World of Our Own.’

-- report by Maggie Somerville (based on Wikipedia)

Australian Tradition 12 August 2016

CONCERT PARTY REPORT—JULY 2016

The Billabong band has been kept busy with 2 gigs in June and more coming up. RECENT NEWS:

On the 17th of June we played at Lionsbrae Aged Care residence, this was the third time we have played there and every time it has been great fun. One of their employees is a regular attendee at our Tuesday concert nights. A sing-a-long program was chosen which received a lot of enthusiastic support from our audience. Many thanks to Margie, Frances, Sophie, Robyn, Don G. Stan C, Harry, Rob, Tony & Trev. As we were packing up their activities coordinator asked us quite seriously if we could come back the next week – a compliment in itself. On Sat 16th July we played for Crossway’s Baptist Church intellectually handicapped support group. Again this was a repeat performance as we have played for them a number of times. And again we chose a program to suit our audience rather than playing purely Australian Folk music. This may seem contrary to the clubs aims but it does ensure that our audiences enjoy themselves and we received a lot of very positive feedback from the audience . Many thanks to Margie, Frances, Sophie, Don G. Stan C, Harry, Rob, Stewart & Trev. Our repertoire for these gigs varies from traditional Australian Folk to more general folk, The Beatles, The Seekers, Johnny Farnham etc. UPCOMING GIGS:

Upcoming gigs are :- Lionsbrae (29th July), Hurstbridge Wattle Day (27th August), Woolshed Ball (8th October), and Ringwood Senior Citizens (3rd December). Remember that these gigs are open to any club member who feels confident enough to get up on stage and play their instruments as long as they are prepared to commit themselves to attend the bands practices. - Report by Trevor Voake (see photos over….)

Australian Tradition 13

August 2016

OUR BILLABONG BAND IN ACTION:-

- Photos by Trevor Voake

Australian Tradition 14 August 2016

DEMOCRACY AND DISCUSSION

AT WORK IN OUR FOLK CLUB

REGARDING OUR TUESDAY NIGHT SESSIONS

Recently the VFMC Committee held a Special meeting to discuss the ongoing progress of our Tuesday night sessions.

An outcome of this productive meeting was that a Sessions sub-committee be formed to plan and run Sessions to their full potential.

Recent issues, such as managing the gradual increase in numbers, and changes in the evolution of Tuesdays, will be high on the agenda for such a sub-committee to address.

Anyone with an interest in Tuesdays may like to nominate for consideration, although we only need a couple to start with. Contact the chairperson, Don Fraser.

We are looking forward to an active and vibrant future for Tuesday sessions and welcome your ideas. The Terms of Reference for the sub- committee are available for perusal if interested.

- report by Don Fraser

AUSTRALIAN FOLKLORE QUIZ

1) Name a mythical creature in Aussie folklore. 2) What is the most well-known Aboriginal mythical creature? 3) Name an extinct famous Australian animal. 4) What Aussie convict lived with Aborigines? 5) What saying did he lead to?

Answers to last quiz: 1) Music of Appalachian region in east US 2) European &

African influences 3) Old-time, country, bluegrass, folk 4) Banjo, fiddle,

dulcimer, guitar 5) Carter Family, Loretta Lynn, Doc Watson, Bob Dylan,.

Australian Tradition 15

August 2016

Regular Functions at Other VenuesRegular Functions at Other VenuesRegular Functions at Other VenuesRegular Functions at Other Venues

Bendigo Folk Club

Graham Borrell, 0438 437 680 buzza@bendigo.net.au Feature concert on the 3rd Friday of each month 8-11pm, under the grandstand at the Queen Elizabeth oval, Bendigo

Bush Dance and Music Club

of Bendigo Inc

Monthly bush dance at Bendigo East, third Saturday every month. Contact Dianne Pearse (dpearse@iinet.net.au) 5442-1715 or Mary Smith 5442-1153 (secretary@bendigobushdance.org.au) for details.

Berwick and District Folk Club

Edward Nass / Christine Trimnell, 03 9702 1223 /0418 535 264 badfolk@optusnet.com.au Featured artist 3rd Friday February to December, The Old Cheese Factory, 34 Homestead Road, Berwick Vic. 3806 www.badfolk.org.au

Boite World Music Cafe

Therese Virtue,, 03 9417 1983 boite@boite.asn.au Friday & Saturday - March to November, 1 Mark St, North Fitzroy, www.boite.asn.au

Geelong Folk Music Club

Ade Kelly (03)5241-3749, adenmyra@bigpond.com.au, Pete Fogarty (03)5339-7887. Featuring quality acts from around the country and overseas. Sessions every Thursday at Hotel Max, 2 Gheringhap St, Geelong. Open Mic. Performance events first Tuesday at Irish Murphy’s, 30 Aberdeen St & 3rd Tuesdays at Hotel Max. Bookings: Paula Grembka 0401 671 1310. http://www.geelongfolkmusicclub.com/

Comhaltas (Collingwood)

Joan and Ray Mundy run a session on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month, starts 7.30pm. Supper. Maree: 9471-0690

Gippsland Acoustic Music Club

Barbara Brabets, 03 5174 7403 Local musicians and concert opportunities. 1st Sunday at 7:45 pm, Tyers Hall, Tyers www.musicclub.org

Ranges Burrinja Folk Club

Andrew Jackson, 03 97567398 or 0402 473 897 mail@drfolk.com.au Guest artist, last Friday of month Burrinja Cultural Centre, 351 Glenfern Rd, Upwey Vic (Mel Ref 75B12) www.rangesburrinjafolk.org/home.html

Selby Folk Club

David Miller, 03 9751 1218 miller@a1.com.au 1st Friday every month, at 8:00 pm, Selby Community House Minok Reserve

www.home.aone.net.au/~selbyfolkclub

Peninsula Folk Club

First Sunday of each month, at the Frankston Bowling Club on the corner of Yuille Street and Williams Rd, Frankston, from 6:30 pm on. Carparking, great facilities, no stairs.

peninsulafolkclub.org.au

Ballarat Folk and Acoustic Music

Group

First Sunday Every Month from 2 pm, Venue: Carman Welsh Church Hall, 261 Albert Street, Sebastopol. Enquiries: Arthur: 0438 323 923 Graeme: 03 5334 5551

Australian Tradition 16 August 2016

ContactsContactsContactsContacts

Secretary

Robyn Hammond Telephone: Email: secretary@vfmc.org.au

Ringwood East Folk Club

Don Fraser Telephone: 0407 737 202 Email: enquiries@vfmc.org.au

Family Bush Dance

Jane Bullock Telephone: 9762 1389 Email: dance@vfmc.org.au

Concert Party Engagements

Maree Buttler Telephone: 9733 0802 Email: enquiries@vfmc.org.au

To join the VFMC, fill in this

Application Form and post with

cheque to:

VFMC Secretary, P.O. Box 215, Ringwood East, Victoria 3135

Name: ....................................................................................................................... Address: .................................................................................................................... Phone Contact: …………………………………………………………………….. Email: ………………………………………………..……………………………..

THE VICTORIAN FOLK MUSIC

CLUB INCORPORATED

INVITES YOU TO JOIN THE CLUB

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VFMC Website

http://www.vfmc.org.au